Provo, Utah – Douglas Stewart Carter, 71, was released from death row on Monday after prosecutors announced that newly analyzed DNA evidence excluded him as the source of biological material found on a doorknob and a knife handle linked to the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen.
Background of the case
Carter was convicted in the 1990s for the killing of Olesen, the aunt of Provo police chief, based largely on a confession he later said was coerced and the testimony of two witnesses who claimed he bragged about the crime. Those witnesses later recanted, saying they had been paid and threatened by police.
In 2011, investigators located the two witnesses in Mexico, where they admitted they had been offered cash and gifts in exchange for false testimony and had been threatened with deportation if they did not implicate Carter.
DNA testing and court action
On September 22, a DNA analysis performed at the request of the Utah Supreme Court found no match between Carter’s DNA and the blood on the doorknob or the genetic material on the knife handle used to stab Olesen. Judge Derek Pullan noted that the findings further undermine the prosecution’s case, though he reminded that a jury could still find Carter guilty.
Following the Supreme Court’s 2025 order for a new trial, citing “multiple instances of intentional misconduct” by investigators and a prosecutor, the state moved to reassess Carter’s bail. Utah County prosecutor Erwin Petilos told the court that a bail review was “necessary and fair” as the state continues to examine remaining evidence.
Release conditions and next steps
Carter was released on bail and must wear a GPS monitor while awaiting a new trial. A judge ordered him to have no contact with Olesen’s family. He will stay at an extended‑stay hotel near his son, Tyler Anger, who was adopted as an infant and only learned of his father’s conviction years later.
Attorney Neal Hamilton said Carter will need therapy to address the psychological impact of his decades of incarceration. Hamilton also urged prosecutors to dismiss the aggravated murder charge that remains pending.
Family reactions and ongoing investigation
Theresa Olesen, a daughter‑in‑law of the victim, expressed “serious concerns” about Carter’s release, saying the family hoped for a concrete DNA match. She added, “It doesn’t mean he wasn’t there. We just want justice for Eva and to know the truth.”
Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will use the DNA results to pursue other suspects. Attorneys for Carter note that witnesses at the original trial described a White man fleeing the scene, and that an investigator allegedly suppressed evidence that could implicate other suspects, including Olesen’s husband, the late Orla Olesen.
Legal context
The Utah Supreme Court’s intervention reflects a broader trend of courts scrutinizing historic convictions where misconduct is alleged. Carter’s case underscores the importance of forensic advances and the need for transparent investigative practices.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
